Environmental impact of polymer-waste disposal

Abstract

The laboratory carbonization of well-known polymers to 850°C is studied, in order to determine the benzo[a]pyrene emissions. In carbonization, the exhaust gases from all the polymers contain benzo[a]pyrene in levels far exceeding workplace air standards. The levels are higher for carbon-chain polymers than for heterochain polymers. The utilization of polymer wastes with the coal batch in coke ovens is investigated. It is found that the yield of gas and its content of benzo[a]pyrene are several times higher than for industrial coke ovens. This means that, in the industrial coking of coal batch with added carbon-chain polymers, elevated expansion pressure should be expected in the coke oven, along with increased atmospheric emissions of benzo[a]pyrene.